Chipura, whose nickname was "Chip," was an FDNY firefighter, a NYPD cop, a U.S. Marine, an Eagle Scout and a native Staten Islander.

A change.org petition posted earlier this year sought at least 1,500 signatures to be sent to Borough President James Oddo, Mayor Bill de Blasio, Gov. Andrew Cuomo and city and state elected officials, as well as U.S. Sens. Charles Schummer and Kirstin Gillibrand.

Given the number of signatures on this petition and other efforts to honor his ultimate sacrifice, a ferry in his name would be a fitting and lasting tribute.

The online petition appropriately notes that naming a vessel after Chipura would have deeper meaning.

It states: "We are blessed that we have a multitude of heroes in this great city who serve with distinction and honor. On 9/11 alone, we lost 343 members of the FDNY, 23 members of NYPD and 37 members of the Port Authority Police department - many of them from Staten Island. Any of these heroes deserves the honor of having a Ferry named after them."

What sets Chipura apart, supporters say, is a life-long commitment to our community, city and nation.

Even as a youngster, he was a devoted Boy Scout and then Eagle Scout.

He went on to serve his country as a U.S. Marine, and later to serve our city as a member of the NYPD and FDNY.

Published reports say there is another petition being circulated among city firehouses to name a ferry in Chipura's honor.